Rotorcraft
K-Max Leaps From Unmanned to Autonomous Operations
Near Earth Autonomy and Kaman Aerospace have developed an intelligent autonomy system for the K-Max helicopter.
Near Earth depiction of autonomous K-Max evaluating a landing zone.
Near Earth depiction of autonomous K-Max evaluating a landing zone.

Kaman's K-Max helicopter is making the leap from unmanned to autonomous operations as Near Earth Autonomy and Kaman Aerospace, with support from Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), have developed an intelligent autonomy system for the aircraft helicopter. The new system builds on previous work that began in 2014 as the autonomous aerial cargo utility system project and continued on small and medium-sized vehicles under the joint capability technology demonstration military program.

Near Earth says it has demonstrated that one architecture can work across a wide range of different aircraft types and sizes. Using sensors and onboard computing, the aircraft senses its environment to make real-time flight decisions, including flying around objects and selecting landing/drop zones.